Working, studying or travelling to Canada? Don’t get scammed! Get official information.

An eTA is a requirement for Mexican nationals travelling to Canada by air. Applying for an eTA(opens in a new tab) is easier than you may think. It’s a simple online process that takes a few minutes to complete and costs around 100 MXN (7 CAD). Most applicants get their eTA approved in minutes. To apply, you need your passport and a credit card to pay the application fee.

Download the eTA help guide (PDF, 1.32 MB)(opens in a new tab) for instructions.

An eTA does not guarantee that you can enter Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will look at your passport and other documents before deciding if you can enter Canada.

Don’t believe scammers who tell you that an eTA is all you need to work in Canada.

Examples of jobs that require a work permit: farm worker, hotel staff person, restaurant worker, cleaner, construction worker, carpenter, meat cutter, website designer, caregiver.

This is not a complete list of jobs. Answer a few questions to find out if you need a work permit(opens in a new tab).

Canadian companies must try to hire someone in Canada before they can hire you. The company has to get a document from the government that gives them permission to hire a foreign worker. The document is called a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).

The LMIA costs the company 14,300 MXN (1,000 CAD) for each worker they want to hire. The company must pay this fee. The Canadian government does not let the worker pay the cost. Beware of Canadian companies or recruiters that ask you to pay for the LMIA because they are breaking the law.

If the LMIA is approved, the company should give you a copy of the LMIA approval letter for you to include with your work permit application. An approved LMIA doesn’t mean that your work permit has been, or will be, approved.

A job offer could be fake if

• a consultant or recruiter tells you that the only document you need to work in Canada is an eTA
  Note: You must have a work permit to work in Canada.
• a recruiter charges you money to find a job
  Note: Honest companies pay recruiters to find workers, so you shouldn’t have to pay for a job offer.
• a consultant or recruiter shows you a work permit with your name on it and asks you for payment before they will give it to you
  Note: Work permits are not issued until you arrive in Canada. They will never be sent to a consultant or recruiter.
• you’re asked to pay money up front for the right to apply, the labour market impact assessment (LMIA), training or supplies like tools or a uniform
• a recruiter asks for your passport
  Note: Never give anyone your passport.
• you’re recruited on WhatsApp or other social media sites like Facebook or YouTube
• the wages seem too high for the job or region
  Note: The Government of Canada Job Bank(opens in a new tab) lists average wages by occupation and city. You can enter the city or postal code for the job and find its salary range.
• the job description (for example, information on location, duties, benefits) is vague
• no experience is required
• no interview is required
• the consultant or recruiter promises you will become a permanent resident (PR) once you’re working in Canada

If a job offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Many companies will post job openings on their website or on the Government of Canada Job Bank(opens in a new tab).

Before you pay a recruiter, research the company and job offer to make sure they’re real. Ask your friends or family in Canada to help.

Authorized representatives must be authorized in Canada to charge money for their services. They are regulated professionals who understand Canada’s immigration and application processes. Authorized paid representatives are lawyers, paralegals, Quebec notaries, or consultants registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants(opens in a new tab). They can explain the different visa options, give you informed advice about your application, and communicate with the Government of Canada on your behalf.

We won’t deal with visa consultants who charge a fee but aren’t authorized. If you use an unauthorized representative, we may return your application or refuse it.

If you hire a consultant to help you fill out the application, ask people you trust to recommend a consultant they used to get a visa. Get advice from a few people before you choose. Avoid hiring consultants on social media without any references.

If the consultant applies on your behalf, remember these tips:

• Both of you have to fill out and sign the Use of a Representative form(opens in a new tab). Hiding the use of a consultant can get your application denied and you could be banned from reapplying again for 5 years.

Ask for your user ID and password to log onto your profile to confirm that your application was sent. A lot of scammers will tell you that they’ve sent in your application, but they haven’t.

If someone tells you to lie on an application or give fake documents, they are putting you at risk.

Never sign blank forms or applications given to you by a consultant.

Before you sign your application, make sure that all the information in your application and supporting documents is true and that you understand everything.

If you or your consultant send false documents or information

• your application will be refused
• you could be banned from Canada for at least 5 years
• you could have a permanent record of fraud with IRCC

The Canadian government works with partners to train officers and watch for fake documents.